Railway Hotel Yeppoon - Stage 2
Railway Hotel Yeppoon, Stage 2 is a major hospitality refurbishment delivered by Caughley & Co. for Star Hotels Group in Yeppoon, Queensland.
Completed in July 2025, this 20-week construction program transformed two adjacent buildings and seamlessly integrated them into the existing hotel, creating a new bistro, a fully operational commercial kitchen, new male and female amenities and a compliant new entry experience.
The client engaged Caughley & Co. based on their proven ability to deliver complex hotel refurbishments in live trading environments. A key non-negotiable requirement was that the existing kitchen remained operational until the new kitchen was fully completed, certified and ready to open. Ensuring uninterrupted service throughout the project.
The scope of works included structural demolition, new structural footings and steel, new plasterboard partitions, floor finishes and tiling, electrical and communications, mechanical and hydraulic services, stainless steel fabrication and the installation of fixtures and fittings throughout the new spaces.
While primarily a refurbishment, this project required the successful connection of three separate buildings into one fully functional hospitality venue. The project was delivered remotely from Brisbane, supported by a locally based contract site manager, demonstrating Caughley & Co.’s capability to manage high-quality regional projects with the same standards as metropolitan builds.
Design and engineering were delivered in collaboration with BPSN Architects and Dileigh Consulting Engineers, creating a contemporary hotel bistro environment that prioritises operational flow, customer experience and long-term durability.
A custom-built stainless steel commercial kitchen forms the operational heart of the venue, supported by Star Hotels Group’s standardised finishes across joinery, wall finishes, flooring and lighting. These materials were selected to ensure consistency across the group’s portfolio while delivering a robust, high-performance hospitality environment.
One of the most significant challenges of the project was maintaining safe access and continuous operation of the existing hotel during construction. Certification and commissioning of the new kitchen was a critical milestone, allowing the transition to occur without disruption to daily trading. Structural design challenges were resolved collaboratively on site to preserve both safety and design intent.
The completed bistro and kitchen are the standout features of the development, significantly increasing the hotel’s dining capacity and enhancing the overall customer experience. Visitors consistently comment on the expanded layout, improved flow and the quality of the finishes throughout the space.
Particular attention has been given to the feature joinery, including the curved joinery screens, custom wine storage and integrated lighting, as well as the layered use of wallpaper, carpet and bespoke joinery detailing. Elements that define the character and warmth of the finished interior.
Railway Hotel Yeppoon, Stage 2 reflects Caughley & Co.’s ongoing partnership with Star Hotels Group as a trusted delivery partner for complex hospitality refurbishments. The project demonstrates the team’s ability to deliver value, maintain operational continuity and achieve high-quality outcomes in challenging, live environments.
The venue has been operating continuously since completion, with positive client feedback and a strong increase in functional dining capacity. Caughley & Co. looks forward to continuing its long-term relationship with Star Hotels Group across future hospitality developments.
